UK government criticises Gaza death penalty for 'collaborator'

A British government minister has express concern about the execution of three men in Gaza this weekend, including one killed for allegedly collaborating with Israel.

Hamas announced that the death penalty was enforced on the weekend, with the other two of those killed found guilty of murder.

The execution was condemned by Alistair Burt, the Minister for the Middle East and North Africa. The British government has previously made clears its opposition to the death penalty "in all circumstances as a matter of principle".

"We consider that its use undermines human dignity, that there is no conclusive evidence of its deterrent value, and that any miscarriage of justice leading to its imposition is irreversible and irreparable," said Mr Burt. "The UK has called repeatedly for the implementation in Gaza of the moratorium on the death penalty which is present in the West Bank.

"We hope that this moratorium will lead to the eventual abolition of the death penalty in the Occupied Palestinian Territories".

In July, two other Palestinians were executed on the orders of Hamas, also on charges of working with Israelis.